When you’re searching for issues to do in Billings, Montana, you’ve come to the suitable place. I’ve put collectively an inventory of my favorite actions and points of interest on this great metropolis.
I used to be born and raised in Billings till leaving for college. Within the final decade, the town has been rising and altering, with many extra alternatives for residents and guests alike.
Today, I’ve moved again to work remotely from residence and I’m excited to share all of the enjoyable issues to see and locations to go to in Billings – my hometown.
15 Finest Issues to Do in Billings
Whether or not you’re a nature lover, historical past buff, or simply searching for some enjoyable household actions, you’ll discover one thing on this that appeals to you. Billings is likely one of the finest locations to go to in Montana, and Montana is likely one of the finest locations to go to within the US.
Listed here are the 15 finest issues to do in Billings.
1. Go on a Nature and Historical past Tour
The Billings Western Tour is likely one of the most original issues to do in Billings in the event you’re taken with studying in regards to the space’s historical past and tradition. This tour takes you to a number of the most vital historic websites in Billings, together with the Little Bighorn Battlefield Nationwide Monument, Pictograph Cave State Park, and Chief A lot Coups State Park.
This can be a nice exercise for historical past buffs and people who need to study extra in regards to the space’s wealthy historic and pure heritage. Excursions usually final round six hours and admission to every park is included.
2. Attempt Horseback Using
Horseback driving is likely one of the finest issues to do in Billings in the event you love animals and the nice outside. There are a number of ranches within the space that supply horseback driving classes and path rides. This can be a nice exercise for households, teams of mates, or anybody who desires to expertise the fantastic thing about Montana’s panorama from a special perspective.
Most ranches provide beginner-friendly rides, so it doesn’t matter in the event you’ve by no means been on a horse earlier than. I like to recommend getting outdoors of Billings and heading to Livingston, MT, for this guided horseback trek by Blue Flower Path. On the tour, you possibly can trip within the countryside and revel in beautiful views of the native mountains.
Planning on visiting different locations in Montana? See these different posts:
3. Go to Yellowstone Nationwide Park
Yellowstone Nationwide Park is likely one of the hottest issues to see close to Billings and the doorway is lower than 2 hours away. This world-famous park is residence to an unbelievable number of wildlife, together with bison, elk, bears, and wolves. You can even see a number of the world’s most spectacular geothermal options right here, resembling geysers and sizzling springs.
There are a number of issues to do in Yellowstone, relying in your pursuits. You may go mountaineering, tenting, fishing, or sightseeing. When you’re taking a day journey from Billings, I like to recommend beginning the day early, and having your personal automotive. The park may be very well-liked and I counsel making ready to enter with a bit endurance.
For additional steering, you should purchase a self-guided audio tour. That is a simple and cheap method to study extra in regards to the park as you drive and discover. You can even e book a non-public tour from West Yellowstone, however you’ll should drive there first.
4. Have a Llama Encounter
Spending time with llamas is likely one of the extra distinctive issues to do close to Billings. It’s possible you’ll assume that the animal is strictly South American, however they’re raised in Montana as properly.
When you’d like to guide, hug, brush, and feed a llama, there’s a llama encounter exercise supplied in Livingston, roughly an hour and a half west of Billings. This can be a enjoyable 2 hour cease to coordinate along with your Yellowstone go to, if time permits.
5. Embark on a Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a good way to discover with household or mates and is only one of many enjoyable actions to do in Billings. There are a number of firms that supply scavenger hunts, which generally final round two hours. It’s a fantastic exercise for many who need to see the town in a brand new and distinctive approach.
Scavenger hunts are additionally good for teams as a result of they encourage teamwork and communication. I like to recommend trying out the Billings scavenger hunt, which takes you to a number of the hottest landmarks within the metropolis, and guides you in direction of some cool hidden gems.
6. Drive the Beartooth Freeway
The Beartooth Freeway is likely one of the most scenic drives within the nation and is positioned simply over an hour south of Billings. This 68-mile stretch of highway takes you thru stunning alpine surroundings, together with glaciers, lakes, and mountain peaks, as you climb to almost 11,000 ft. Cease for scenic viewpoints and mountaineering as you drive – see extra on mountaineering in #7.
In your approach again to Billings, you possibly can cease in Purple Lodge for lunch or to stretch your legs. This charming city is positioned on the base of the Beartooth Mountains and is a good place to probe for an hour or two. Cease right here, or proceed your scenic highway journey to the lesser travelled Yellowstone Nationwide Park entrance close to Cooke Metropolis.
Remember that the Beartooth Freeway is barely open from late Could-October (snow pending), so plan your journey accordingly. Be ready for the climate altering. The cross can all of a sudden shut any time of yr attributable to climate circumstances.
7. Hike the Beartooth Mountains
When you’re searching for issues to do close to Billings in summer season, fall, or spring that contain being outside, mountaineering is a good possibility. Visiting the Beartooth mountains is a high vacationer attraction for guests and locals alike. These mountains are a number of the tallest in Montana and provide beautiful views, making them the right place to hike.
There are a number of trails to select from, ranging in issue. I like to recommend stopping on the ranger station for particular suggestions.
My private mountaineering favourites within the space embody:
- Mystic Lake: This reasonable path climbs as much as stunning lake views. It’s 5.5 miles, (8.9 km), and usually takes round 3 hours. If you wish to hike farther, and even strive some backcountry tenting, you possibly can hike down alongside the lake.
- Off the Overwhelmed Path: I did this superior 26-mile one-way hike for my honeymoon. It options a whole lot of climbing by altering terrain and also you’ll have to coordinate vehicles, or determine a shuttle. It is going to take you 2-3 days to finish so that you’ll have to deliver backpacking gear. You may lease gear at outside outlets like REI.
- Elk Lake: When you don’t have time for a one-way journey however need to expertise the fantastic thing about East Rosebud within the Beartooths, do this 6.7 mile hike that usually takes lower than 3 hours. Convey a fishing pole and cease for a couple of hours on the stunning Elk Lake.
- Glacier Lake: You’ll want all-wheel drive to entry the trailhead through meandering dust roads. This 4.5 mile, (7.4 km), hike will take round 3 hours to finish. The highway resulting in this trailhead can also be a fantastic place for boondock tenting – my favorite getaway spot from Billings.
8. Discover the Rimrocks
Exploring the Rimrocks is likely one of the extra uncommon issues to do in Billings. These towering sandstone cliffs run alongside the north finish of city. They’re stunning from under and provide nice viewpoints from above.
There are a number of trails that wind by the Rimrocks, so you possibly can discover them at your personal tempo. I like to recommend beginning at Swords Park, which is positioned on the northeast aspect of city. That’s the place I at all times like to start my hikes.
From there, you possibly can take the Rimrocks Path in both course, which is a simple and scenic hike that may take you to a number of the finest viewpoints within the space. If in case you have a motorbike, you can too trip this path as properly.
9. Go Wine Tasting at Yellowstone Cellars Vineyard
Visiting a vineyard is likely one of the romantic issues to do in Billings. Yellowstone Cellars Vineyard is a good place to go for a tasting or tour.
They provide a wide range of purple and white wine, the workers is pleasant and educated, and so they provide charcuterie boards and some different plates if you wish to seize some lunch. In addition they have music nearly each weekend all year long.
The vineyard is positioned in the course of the city and is straightforward to get to. It’s really the one vineyard on the town and, as a wine lover, I used to be completely happy to seek out good wine so native to me. Visiting a vineyard is nice for {couples} for a date evening that need to discover romantic actions in Billings.
Handle: 1335 Vacation Cir, Billings, MT, 59101, USA
10. Play within the Snow within the Beartooth Mountains
If it’s not mountaineering season, then it’s most likely snow and ski season in Montana. And in the event you’re visiting Billings within the winter, you then’ll positively need to head as much as the Beartooth Mountains (about an hour south) for some snow-filled enjoyable. Snowboarding is certainly among the best issues to do in Billings in winter.
Purple Lodge Mountain is a good place to go snowboarding, snowboarding, or simply to play within the snow. They provide a number of trails for each newbie and superior skiers, and in the event you’re not into downhill snowboarding, you possibly can nonetheless benefit from the snow in different methods.
There are additionally a number of sledding hills close by which is usually a enjoyable exercise to get pleasure from with children. And in the event you’re searching for one thing a bit extra off the overwhelmed observe, strive cross-country snowboarding or snowshoeing on the native Nordic Heart.
11. Go Fishing
The Yellowstone River runs alongside the southern and japanese elements of city and is a good place to go fishing. You may fish from the riverbanks at any public entry level, resembling Duck Creek Bridge and Riverfront Park, or head out on a ship. Different choices embody Lake Elmo, though you’ll desire a boat or paddle board to fish right here.
If you wish to enterprise additional, there are mountain lakes to discover within the Beartooth vary as properly. These lakes embody Wild Invoice Lake (a kid-friendly household favorite) and West Rosebud Lake. When you don’t have your personal gear, you possibly can simply lease all the things you want from the Base Camp.
Fly fishing in Montana is unbelievable. Study one of the best spots in this information.
12. Go to Moss Mansion
Moss Mansion is likely one of the finest issues to do in the event you’re taken with historic or architectural Billings vacationer points of interest. This historic residence was in-built 1903 and is now a museum. You may take a tour of the mansion, which incorporates authentic furnishings and fixtures.
The grounds are additionally stunning and well-maintained. They provide a backyard and gazebo. Plus, they’ve a enjoyable little reward store. Within the winter, the mansion is adorned for Christmas and is open for particular occasions.
Handle: 914 Division St, Billings, MT, 59101, USA
13. Go on a Walkable Brewery Tour
There are a number of nice breweries on the town and most of them are positioned downtown, so you possibly can simply go to a couple of on foot. An evening out sampling beers with mates is certainly one in all my most popular Billings actions.
My favorite brewery is the Final Likelihood Pub and Cider Mill. They’ve a fantastic taproom with a rotating collection of cider, beers, and different native drinks.
Different breweries within the downtown space are:
14. Wander Outdoor on the Audubon Heart
When you’re searching for distinctive issues to do in Billings, the Audubon Heart, which is devoted to nature conservation, is a good place to go for a scenic stroll or hike.
They’ve a number of miles of trails that wind by the woods and alongside the river. I’ve seen wildlife resembling deer, birds, and rabbits on my many visits there.
Try their schedule and calendar of occasions for different enjoyable issues to see in Billings, MT. Typically, there are organized occasions particularly catered to toddlers, children, and households to study native wildlife and flowers.
Handle: 7026 S Billings Blvd, Billings, MT, 59101, USA
15. Go to the Sensible Wonders Museum
This can be a cease for households with children beneath the age of 10. The Sensible Wonders Museum is an interactive museum that focuses on hands-on STEM science and play.
That is one in all my child’s favorite locations to go to in Billings – a lot in order that they love coming right here weekly. And in the event you’re right here within the winter months when the children can’t play outdoors within the sunshine on a regular basis, it’s a life saver.
Children will love enjoying with displays about wind, gravity, water, and extra. It’s enjoyable for all ages! Age allowing, you possibly can allow them to play while you sit and revel in a cup of espresso on the store that shares area with the museum.
Billings is changing into much more family-friendly as of late, with different enjoyable actions popping up resembling indoor mountaineering, and trampoline parks.
Handle: 3024 2nd Ave N, Billings, MT, 59101, USA
FAQs About Billings
Nonetheless questioning what to do in what to do in Billings? Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions on visiting Billings, MT.
Completely! Billings is a good place to go to for its outside recreation, historical past, and tradition. There’s one thing for everybody to get pleasure from. Whereas it’s extra of a base for attending to different well-liked areas, like Yellowstone Nationwide Park and the Beartooth Mountains, there’s nonetheless loads of issues to see in Billings too.
Billings is understood finest for its distinctive rock formations, referred to as the Rimrocks. These sandstone cliffs line the river valley and run throughout the north finish of city. They’re a preferred spot for mountaineering, picnicking, and images.
The very best time to go to Billings, Montana, is in the summertime when the climate is heat and dry. Nevertheless, there are many issues to do in Billings all year-round. When you get pleasure from winter sports activities, resembling snowboarding and snowboarding, you then’ll need to go to within the winter.
It is dependent upon which entrance you need to drive to. The closest is Cooke Metropolis, 129 miles away, however will seemingly take round 3 hours as a result of windy freeway and passes. The Gardiner entrance is about 159 miles away and can take nearer to 2 hours to achieve.
Sure, it’s scenic, and there are many fairly issues to see in Billings. The small metropolis incorporates a collection of small cliffs referred to as the Rimrocks, and the Yellowstone River passes by.
Now You Know What to Do in Billings, MT
When you’ve been questioning what to do in Billings, Montana, I hope this listing has given you some concepts. From outside recreation to family-friendly actions, there’s one thing for everybody to get pleasure from in Large Sky Nation.
Do you will have every other solutions of one of the best issues to do in Billings? Share them within the feedback under!
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